The Demise of North Hills Mall: A Sad Tale of Closure
" "I live in the Fort Worth Texas suburbs of Northeast Tarrant County, which is close to DFW Airport. When it comes to changes in the local shopping landscape, the closure of the North Hills Mall stands out. This article will take you through the sequence of events that led to the closure of this once-bustling shopping destination.
" "Location and Initial Charm
" "The North Hills Mall was located on Highway 26 in North Richland Hills. It had recently undergone a renovation in the autumn of 1993, which included the construction of a Family Room between the men’s and women’s restrooms. However, the renovations did not save the mall from its inevitable fate. Soon after the renovation, many shops began to leave.
" "Major Players and Early Exit
" "One of the first shops to close was McDonald’s, which has a significant presence in many American malls. This initial exit set off a chain reaction, as the gradual increase in vacant space became more obvious by the mid-1990s. The inside 6-screen movie theater further reduced the mall’s appeal. In the final two years, only an independent BBQ restaurant remained in the food court. A few independent shops and seasonal sellers filled the empty spaces, including a clothing shop that used to be Stripling Cox.
" "Fleeting Anchors and Final Closure
" "Scudder Foleys, a long-standing anchor, left the mall after the nearby Northeast Mall in Hurst underwent a renovation and expansion. Today, the Foleys anchor building is home to Macy’s. Mervyns remained in the mall for a while but eventually followed Scudder Foleys out. Mervyns, owned the building, attempted to keep its presence in the area for a time but could not keep pace with the declining foot traffic.
" "Demolition and Future Plans
" "Several years after the closure, the site of the North Hills Mall was demolished. The land is now under development, with a townhouse project currently underway. This development represents a significant change for the neighborhood, as the land once defined by the mall is transformed into housing units. The demolition came as a shock to some residents who remembered the mall as a vibrant part of their community.
" "The Mall’s Decline and Surrounding Competition
" "The decline of North Hills Mall was not just due to poor management or economic downturns. Its proximity to the larger and more popular Northeast Mall in Hurst, which had undergone its own recent renovation, played a significant role. By the mid-2000s, the DFW Metroplex had numerous malls, including at least three in Arlington and the explosion of Grapevine Mills in Grapevine, making it difficult for the North Hills Mall to compete. This competition from newer and better-located malls left the North Hills Mall struggling to maintain its appeal and business.
" "The North Hills Mall is a stark reminder of how mall closures can affect local communities. As consumers increasingly turn to online shopping, traditional malls face significant challenges in maintaining their relevance. The story of North Hills Mall serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of innovation, strategic location, and competitive advantage in the retail landscape.